Measurements of Vertical Ground Reaction Force in Jumping Dogs

Abstract

SummaryThe purpose of this study was: to quantitate the peak vertical ground reaction force acting on the forelimbs of dogs as they landed after jumping an obstacle; to compare that force at three heights; and to evaluate factors that may affect vertical ground reaction force. Thirteen military working dogs were studied. A strain gauge force plate was used to measure force. Three measurements were recorded for each dog at each height. The means of the medians of the three forces for each dog at each height were compared using a repeated measures analysis of variance. Mean force at 63 cm was 986.9 ± 221.5 N, mean force at 79 cm was 1175.0 ±227.4 N, and mean force at 94 cm was 1366.1± 268.5 N. There was a significant difference in mean force at the three jump heights (p = 0.0002). The significance was unchanged when force was normalized for body weight. Statistical models were used to evaluate the effect of other independent variables. Factors that were found to effect force were body weight, breed, and sex of the dog. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings.Vertical ground reaction force was measured in thirteen dogs landing on a force plate after jumping an obstacle. Three readings were taken for each dog at each of three heights, and the mean vertical ground reaction force was compared. Force readings were significantly different at each height, increasing as height increased. Factors that were found to effect vertical ground reaction force were body weight, breed, and sex.